Smith & Wesson M&P Shield 9mm / .40 S&W Pistol

Smith & Wesson has officially unveiled their new sub-compact Smith & Wesson M&P Shield Pistol chambered in 9mm and .40 S&W. Like the other M&P pistols, the Shield is polymer framed and striker fired. The MSRP is $449.

Specifications

Caliber

9mm

Capacity

7+1

Finish

Black Melonite 68 HRc

Grip

Polymer

Barrel

3.1″

Overall Length

6.1″

Overall Height

4.6″

Frame Width

0.95″

Weight

19.0 oz

Sights

White 2-dot

CA Approved

Yes

MSRP (Price)

$449

It is slightly larger (0.1″ greater height and length, 0.05″ greater width) than the Ruger LC9 and is 2 oz. heavier.

I really like the Shield’s design and specifications. I expect this to be a big seller.

The press release …

Smith & Wesson Corp. today announced the introduction of the company’s new slim, concealable, lightweight, striker-fired polymer pistol with the unveiling of the M&P Shield™. Available in 9mm and .40 S&W, the new M&P Shield features a slim design combined with the proven and trusted features found in the M&P Pistol Series. From the pistol’s easily concealed one-inch profile to its optimized 18-degree grip angle, the M&P Shield offers professional-grade features that provide simple operation and reliable performance.

“Throughout the industry, there has been a progressive demand for a reliable, accurate self defense firearm,” said Mario Pasantes, Smith & Wesson’s Senior Vice President of Marketing and Global Professional Sales. “Whether used as a backup for police personnel, an undercover firearm for plain-clothes officers or a dependable carry gun for private citizens, the M&P Shield expertly fulfills the need. Built to professional standards and backed by Smith & Wesson’s reputation for innovation and quality control, the M&P Shield adds another high performance option to our company’s broad line of purpose built firearms.”

Chambered in 9mm and .40 S&W for proven stopping power, the M&P Shield features a high-strength polymer frame with a black, Melonite® coated stainless steel slide and barrel. Both models are standard with a 3.1-inch barrel, which contributes to an overall length of 6.1 inches and an unloaded weight of 19 ounces. For fast tracking and smooth target acquisition, the M&P Shield is standard with a 5.3-inch sight radius and has been enhanced with a short, consistent trigger pull measuring 6.5 pounds. Featuring a quick and audible reset made possible by the striker-fired action, the M&P Shield allows multiple rounds to be placed on target both consistently and accurately.

The accuracy of the pistol has been further refined with a white dot stainless steel front sight and a white two-dot stainless steel rear sight. The M&P Shield retains familiar operating features on the left side of the frame, including a simple takedown lever, flat profile slide stop, magazine release and thumb safety. The flush mounted safety allows users to carry the pistol comfortably and confidently. For improved firearm control, the M&P Shield is standard with a fixed textured backstrap and additional texturing at the forward portion of the grip. An extended trigger guard has also been added for operation of the pistol with or without gloves.

Internal features of the new M&P Shield mirror the standard M&P Series. Its stainless steel internal chassis reduces flex while providing a stable shooting platform and its low-bore axis helps maintain ease-of-use and a comfortable feel. Other familiar features include a passive trigger safety that prevents the pistol from firing if dropped and a sear release lever that eliminates the need to press the trigger in order to disassemble the firearm. A loaded chamber indicator is located on top of the slide.

The M&P Shield is shipped with both an extended and flat magazine offering users the ability to customize the length of the grip. The 9mm M&P Shield offers an 8+1 or 7+1 magazine capacity while the .40 S&W M&P Shield is standard with either a 7+1 or 6+1 magazine capacity. The M&P Shield will also be introduced in a California compliant model. Both the 9mm and .40 S&W M&P Shield have an MSRP of $449 and are available now.

As an added bonus, Smith & Wesson has worked with the industry’s top holster, laser and after-market sight manufacturers so that owners can personalize their M&P Shield with high quality accessories that are immediately available from various providers.

The safety is extremely well designed. When in the “FIRE” position (down) the shape of the control, the frame profile around the control and the overall detent feel of the lever makes it very difficult to accidentally turn the safety to the “ON” position.

As such, those who wish to not utilize the safety won’t find it accidentally being activated. As such, it can be left OFF and ignored.

When the safety is placed ON, the lever profile becomes much more prominent and raises to a position where it is easily flicked down by a quick thumb swipe.

The end result is sort of a best of both worlds: For folks who may want to pocket/purse/bag carry, the safety is an effective option. For those who carry in a holster and see no need for it, it won’t be getting in the way of anything.

I plan on carrying the Shield in an AIWB rig; I think the safety makes this an acceptable option given the precaution necessary for reholstering. I typically would only carry a hammer fired weapon AIWB (and ride the hammer with my thumb during reholstering). I feel flicking the safety on and pinching the Shield between my thumb and trigger finger (while using my other fingers to clear the holster and act as feelers to make sure nothing is snagging in the trigger guard) may be a good option.

Sian

Caleb over at gunnuts said no magazine disconnect safety, and I’ve never heard anything about there being a lockout on the Shield.

@gak_pdx good to hear, I was worried about the totally vestigal-looking safety being hard to use, and hoping for an option omitting it.

jdun1911

If that the only version than no deal. There’s really no reason for a manual safety for these type of gun.

DW

You can always pin the safety

Jake

I just bought mine…no magazine safety. The manual said some models do. Mine has a warning stamped on it that it may fire without a magazine. Love the weight and the grip. Thumb safety has a low profile. I haven’t been to the range yet to assess its performance but the design is great. It is significantly larger in your hand than the LC9.

CMathews

We already have them at my store. I plan on buying one soon. Myself and three other employees sat around for 20 minutes or so getting a feel for it. We only have the 9mm currently. It is a sweet little machine

Justin

Does it still have a crappy trigger like the regular M&P?

CMathews

The model we played with had the same reset characteristics of the regular M&P, the trigger felt smoother on the Shield.

Sian

I’ve heard the shield has a much more positive reset than the M&P.

me

I was in Cabelas today at 12:30. I asked the “Gun Guy” at the counter if they had one I could look at. He responded with “What?” I told him S&W had a new model out and I wanted to see one. He then said ” Oh yeah, that one. they wont be available for three or four weeks.” My reponse was “wow, hard to believe that Cabelas can’t get them yet and other retailers have them”
I do want to check one out soon, I’m in the market for another handgun.

CMathews

I find that a bit funny because the “my store” I spoke of is a Cabela’s. We had quite a few, however they’ve sold like hotcakes.

Andy

Cabelas in Hamburg,Pa had 15 this weekend.

Esh325

Glock is quite foolish. Many have wanted a slim pistol for concealed carry, and S&W has taken a chunk of Glock’s market share now. Not that I have stake in either companies really. I kind of would have prefered a DA/SA with a decocker.

jdun1911

Glock 36 is single stack sub-compact pistol.

Samopal

The Glock 36 is a .45 Auto with a 6-shot capacity and is almost the size of a Glock 19. That’s a far cry from the true subcompact single-stack 9mm pistol consumers have been clamoring for.

nikonmikon

It’s actually closer to a g26 than a g19, its somewhere in the middle.

the g19 is noticeably taller than the g36 (not pictured in that post but you can find pictures online easily)

Michael

So how much thinner than a Glock 26/27? I would rather have the ability to use high cap mags than being slightly thinner. I will stick with my Glocks

nikonmikon

Glock 26 holds 10+1 rounds, SW Shield holds 7+1

EverettWilliams

I love Glocks have a 19 and almost bought a 27 but bought two of the Shields on both calibers. If Glock would just offer a stack and half like the M&P I’d have those, but doubt they will do so. Nothing in my opinion is like a Glock, and easy to completely strip as is the shield those pens are a bugger on shield though. I like the aftermarket stuff for Glock Maybe Shield will soon.

You know why people aren’t buying the Nano? 9lb very very long trigger pull. 10 out of 10 I get a Kahr instead a Nano.

Brad

Half the price of the Sig p938!

Ben

I like that S&W are working with 3rd party accessory suppliers during development. That’s some good forward thinking on their part. It also helps sound the death knell for the proprietary rail type thinking.

SleepyDave

Boiled down, is this basically just a single-stack M&P?

rich

Yup, though a lot slimmer than.the compact. But no light rail

David/Sharpie

Hmm, I kinda like it, too bad I can’t own it

Josh B

I’m sorry, why not?

David/Sharpie

Barrel is too short

David/Sharpie

PS: I’m Canadian

http://ak-adventurer.net/ Ak-adventurer

And the advantages this has over the Bodyguard, are what exactly??

El Freddio

9 mil and .40 have more ‘stopping power’ and if I’m right it’s bigger which would make the recoil lower.

jdun1911

The Shield only advantage over the bodyguard is it chamber 9mm.

Devon

Yea, but that isn’t necessarily an advantage. Don’t say that a 9mm has more stopping power because its just not true. They really should have just made a Bodyguard 9 rather than create a whole new “Shield”. I feel like they are trying to force a new model into a REALLY small nitch between the Bodyguard and the M&P Compact.

James

I’ve shot a few of the smaller 9mm pistols, Keltec PF-9, Ruger LC9, and the Walther PPS.

Keltec recoil was terrible, had to send it be sent back for FTE, when it returned it just seemed cheap. Ruger LC9 had a terribly long trigger and a pretty good kick. The one guy who did had a review of the PPS on TFB was dead on about shootability in the slim 9mms currently on the market (also the .380s).

I settled on the Walther, amazing trigger, great recoil characteristics. I can’t wait to get a hand on one of these but the Walther would be the slim 9mm to compare it against. I suggest anyone who hasn’t shot a PPS to do it. If you’ve shot other small/slim .380s or 9mms it will put a smile on your face.

Nathaniel

So… It’s Kahr CW9 that’s bigger in every dimension and heavier?

Seth

Compared side-by-side to the Kahr…increase in size/weight is technically there, I guess…but simply not noticeable. I would say it’s like the Kahr, with an added safety option, more ergonomic, better bore-axis position, WAY better trigger…and about two-thirds the price.

Samopal

I really want a .357 version or drop-in barrel for this. .357 SIG is an excellent (and overlooked) cartridge in short-barreled pistols.

Dan-0

Smith really nailed it with this combo. Has all the rugged features of the standard MP line (minus back strap options, who cares) in a single stack, very concealable package for every day use. The two noticble improvements are the trigger reset (extremely pronounced, with an audible click) and the thumb safety (easily manipulated with the thumb knuckle, very low profile). It also has a captive, double buffer spring which I imagine contributes nicely to it’s over all controlability.

As mentioned before, when comparing the features of the Shield vs the Sig P938 at almost half the competitors price point, the choice is clear.

Gadfly

I got to play with a 9mm shield this weekend. Just dry fire. But the trigger is way better than the standard M&P. You could actually feel and hear the trigger reset. For those who like the M&P but wanted a more “Glock like” trigger, this is it. It is roughly the same height as my G26 with a +2 mag in it. But the grip is much thinner. This will be very popular with women or folks with smaller hands.

Bob Z Moose

At first I was like meh, then I was like *sigh* after reading the comments. Compact pistols have gotten to be like cars: there’s a ton of choices and everyone thinks the one they love is the best one ever made. I’m kinda tired of ultra-compact pistols. I’m just gonna stick with a snubbie .38 and maybe a snubbie .44 Special in the future.

Aaron S.

I purchased one for my sister recently as she wanted my Glock M26. Side by side she liked the M & P 9 better which didn’t surprise me as she has small hands an its lighter even though it doesn’t have the same capacity. If I didn’t own the M26 I’d be looking into the .40 call.

Eli

As a distributer of Walther arms , Smith and Wesson took the logical step in going after the slim line single stack carry market that is out there. They had the PPS which would be there main target to go after. As an owner of the Walther PPS I think its the best CCW out. I think there is a market segment out there that wants a weapon that is as small as a 380 but shoots 9mm and 40 cal. Glock for what ever reason does not feel that way, its there loss. oh yea my g19 sits on the shelf now. I’m sure S&W will a have another hit on there hands.

Ron

Just purchased the M&P 9mm “Shield” today!
I had considered heavily the Glock 26 and also the Sig P238.

When I handled the “Shield” it was all over. Great weight distribution, balanced very well and the grip is exceptional.

It was almost as though this gun was form fitted for my hand, honestly. It was a little stiff doing business initially at the gun dealer I visited and ultimately purchased the gun from. They were trying to sell it at 50.00 over MSRP (449.00) at 500.00.

I got a small discount from the actual MSRP of 449.00 and was pleased as this gun just arrived last Friday, April 13.

No doubt the price picture will adjust once this gun is out there for 6 months or so.

I was disappointed though that this gun did not come with a case, only a box. S&W should reconsider that feature of providing at least an inexpensive case.

Trigger feature is excellent and responsive and the slide action is great. The white dot sites sit up well and are easily seen. I will be glad however when a true front optic green night site comes available for this model.

Overall, I am very pleased with the purchase and can’t wait to shoot this later this week.

vern

Hey,A respond to Me.I too went to Bass Pro to check out there new S&W 9MM Sheild.The salesman had never heard of it. Every one is proud of their purchase,and a differant purpose for their handgun.I travel in a wheel chair,so be nice to people in a chair.He carrys a MK4o.Buy American!

TexasG

I bought the Shield 9 today at the local Academy Sports here in Shertz TX for 432.00 out the door. I already own a Glock 26 for my personal CCW.

Two things stick out in contrast between the the 2 models. 1.) The trigger on the Shield is sticky almost crusty compared to my Glock. However, it feels better in my medium sized hand than the double stack Glock.
2.) The Glock is way easier to take down for cleaning.

Time will tell if the Shield will replace my G26 and become my carry.

I think it’s a great pistol and a great bang for the buck as a compact personal carry. The Shield fits in with the compact market nicely. Form and function is top notch in spite of the take down woe’s.

For those who cry, “why have safety?” the safety is so unobtrusive that if you don’t like it – leave it off and you won’t feel the difference.

Rob

Stacking 5 shot groups with all holes touching at 60′, The more I shot it the better it got. Total confidence in this one. Have about 250 rounds through it. Trigger is nice, better to chamber first round with the slide closed for now. Should get better with break in had a couple of light strikes on first round. Think it was due to chambering with the slide locked open. No regrets here. Tempted to take it yote hunting, have to check the regs.

Dean

Does anyone know when the Shield will bea available in California? And if so, are they going to add a goofy looking loaded chamber indicator like the LC9?

Russ

I just sold my 4006 S&W due to its weight as a carry piece and I`m having a real time trying to buy a M&P Shield 9 or 40…all the stores in this area of north Florida say they are only recieving maybe one a week and they could sell 10 a week if they had them, even Gander Mountain as big as they are cant even touch the demand, hopefully the sales rep will honor his claim and call me when the first one arrives, meanwhile I patiently wait.

Phil White

Russ,

I expect that to be the case for some time. Why companies do this is beyond me. You would think they would ramp up and produce a bunch before time to market them. They are tremendously popular. As I told another reader try Buds Gunshop online as well as Gunbroker. I’ve seen a few on Gunbroker in the last few weeks.

Russ

The wait was worth it, I recieved my Shield 9 July 26 and so far I love everything about it accept I cant hit anything with any consistency, first I thought it was flinching but recoil is not a problem at all…so I tried dry firing when i got home and can see my problem very plainly, my trigger squeeze is pulling it off bulls eye to the left, the specs say it has a 6.5 lb. pull but I sure could deal with a lot less…got work to do !

stbishop2

I can’t get over how the online auction sites have been price-gouging this gun. I got lucky and was able to get a 9mm Shield from my local gun shop NEW for $449. After cleaning and lubing the pistol I took it to the range for its initial test drive. In putting 100 rounds through it, I experienced a whopping 3 out of 5 misfires due to light striking. I could see that the firing pin was not even centered in the striker housing. When it shot, it was very accurate – even at 30 feet. But hearing repeated “clicks” and having to clear the gun made me feel like I bought a problem. By the way, all the misfired rounds fired perfectly with my Springfield Armory EMP. Anyhow, I sent the Shield back to S&W two weeks ago. As of today, it is still in QA waiting for evaluation. Based on all the YouTube reviews etc., I am positive this gun will be a keeper. It’s size and chambering were exactly what I was looking for.